Irvine Lake topped by 34-pound blue catfish; countdown to October 31 Trout Opener begins

A huge blue catfish and the upcoming Trout Season opener had anglers buzzing this week at Irvine Lake, reported Jimmy Getty at the Pro Shop. "We had veteran angler Ricardo Zepeda weigh in a huge 34-pound blue catfish late Friday", observed Getty. "The big blue was released back into the lake, and October is traditionally the best time for the biggest catfish as the feed heavily in preparation for the winter months."


Getty added, "Everyone is getting very excited about the Trout Season Opener coming up on Friday, October 31. We will stock 20,000 pounds of mixed rainbows, brookies, and browns just before opening day. That week, the lake will be closed to the public on Monday through Thursday, October 27-30. There will also be a limited-entry 'VIP Fishing Day' on Thursday, October 30 that will require advance ticket purchase."


Very good stringers of catfish were checked in from mid-lake and the flats, with productive baits being the usual mackerel, shrimp, bonito, and skipjack. Some whiskerfish were still holding as shallow as 5 feet, but as the days grow shorter, they are sliding down in the water column to 30 feet and even deeper.


Bass anglers found very good numbers of 2 to 4-pound largemouth on a potpourri of different techniques. Good catches of bass were made on crankbaits, topwaters, and several different styles of plastic. Best areas were Rocky Point and the Red Clay Cliffs. Lots of good-size bluegill and redear sunfish were biting on mealworms and waxworms in brushy areas.


Very few anglers ventured over to the Kids Lagoon due to the good action in the main lake. Surface temperature on the main lake is running 75-77 degrees, with the water having a little color to it. The lake level is receding slowly. The lake will be closed to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays until the public Trout Opener on Friday, October 31. After that, the lake will be open 7 days a week until next summer.


Anglers are invited to a free pre-opener trout fishing seminar by Pro-Team leader Marlon Meade at 7 PM on Thursday October 23 at the Sport Chalet location on E. Imperial Highway in Brea. Topics covered will include trolling, jigs, and the newest baits and lures to help you catch more trout. Contact the Pro Shop [714-649-9111] for details about the special limited-entry "VIP Trout Fishing Day" taking place on Thursday October 30.


Outstanding catches of the week at Irvine Lake included:
Ricardo Zepeda of Santa Ana, 34-0 blue catfish [released] on bonito at mid-lake Terry Lairson of Huntington Beach, 10-8 channel catfish on mackerel at the flats Mike Rollins of Tustin, 5-1 largemouth bass [released] on crankbaits at Rocky Point

Matt Northrup of Orange, 1-7 bluegill on mealworms at the west shore Follow Irvine Lake on Facebook, on the web at IrvineLake.net or call 714-649-9111